GRAND RAPIDS -- Phil Sweeney, a Davenport University assistant hockey coach for the past seven years, has been promoted to head coach of the school's Division I club program.

He replaces Paul Lowden, who retired from coaching after leading the Panthers to the American Collegiate Hockey Association national championship last season to focus his attention full-time on his duties as Davenport athletics director.

"It is an incredible honor to me to be named head coach," Sweeney said in a statement issued by the college. "I will work to continue the success the program has achieved on the ice, in the classroom and in the community."

Sweeney joined the Davenport athletic staff in 2004-05 and helped guide the Panthers to four consecutive ACHA national titles -- three at the Division II level, before making the jump to Division I last season.

"Phil Sweeney has matured tremendously as a coach over the past seven years as my assistant," said Lowden, who guided the hockey program for the past nine seasons. "Phil is passionate about Davenport University and DU hockey. I am confident the program will continue to be successful."

Sweeney also serves as coach of both the Davenport men's and women's golf teams.

He has led the men's team to three Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference championships in the past five years and guided the Panthers to the NAIA national tournament twice in that span. He also coached two-time WHAC women's champion Caitlin Duval.﻿